but which describes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but which describes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a subject previously mentioned. Example: "The book is a fascinating read, but which describes the complexities of human relationships in a unique way."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She later finds a letter from Henry asking her to "stop waiting" for him, but which describes a moment in her future when she will see him again.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Enchanted Duplicator by Walt Willis and Bob Shaw was a metafiction based on Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, but which described a world populated with sci-fi fans.

The Guardian - Books

But the report, which describes much of Mr. Rice's behavior in detail, apparently warranted no follow-up.

The New York Times - Sports

But the diary, which describes Afghanistan before the COIN doctrine was favoured, shows that you cannot rely on CT alone for long.

The Economist

Even though the reformocons recognize the difficulties of the middle class, they prefer to focus not on income disparities but on "mobility," which describes how individuals fare across their own life span and in comparison with past generations.

The New Yorker

But the team, which describes its findings in the July issue of Astronomy & Astrophysics, can't explain all the star's quirks, especially its absence of helium.

Science Magazine

But that report, which describes "outright fraud" by Donald Trump and his family in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, isn't exactly inspiring Republicans in Congress to want a glimpse at the president's tax returns.

Vice

But this designation, which describes the individual child, does not always reflect the broader implications of exposure for the overall population i.e., that a mild but frequent impact could add up to a substantial population-level burden.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Here, too, his aggression is directed not only at a wild creature, but also at science, which describes this living thing, measures its global chances for survival, and develops categories for the urgency of protection measures.

Yale University

It took 31 years, but the Ashram -- which describes itself as the "smallest, roughest, toughest, leanest, meanest, sweetest health retreat on the planet!" -- has found a second home on the Spanish island of Majorca.

The New York Times

But Forbes magazine -- which describes Trump as "entrepreneur, personality" -- says it is really $4 billion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but which describes" to introduce a clarifying detail that contrasts with the preceding statement, ensuring a smooth transition and enhanced understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "but which describes" when simply adding information without contrast. Use "and which describes" or "which describes" instead to maintain clarity and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

But which describes functions as a connective phrase introducing a relative clause that provides additional, often contrasting, information about a previously mentioned noun or concept. It signals both a contrast ('but') and a descriptive element ('which describes'). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but which describes" is a connective phrase used to introduce a relative clause that provides a contrasting description. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It functions to add nuanced detail, offering an exception or different perspective. While its use is generally neutral, it's important to avoid using it simply to add information without a contrast, as this can confuse the reader. Consider alternatives like "however that describes" or "although it depicts" for variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however that describes

Replaces "but" with "however", maintaining the contrastive description.

yet that portrays

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "describes" with "portrays", offering a slightly different nuance.

though that illustrates

Replaces "but" with "though" and "describes" with "illustrates", changing the tone slightly.

although it depicts

Uses "although" instead of "but" and "depicts" for "describes", altering the sentence structure.

nonetheless it defines

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" and "describes" with "defines", creating a more formal tone.

in contrast that details

Emphasizes the contrast more explicitly, using "in contrast" and "details".

conversely that characterizes

Uses "conversely" to highlight the contrasting element and "characterizes" for a formal feel.

on the other hand it explains

Provides a clear contrast with "on the other hand" and uses "explains" instead of "describes".

even so it outlines

Uses "even so" for a subtle contrast and "outlines" to suggest a summary.

still that specifies

Employs "still" for continuation despite contrast and "specifies" for precision.

FAQs

How can I use "but which describes" in a sentence?

Use "but which describes" to introduce a contrasting detail that also offers a description, such as, "The initial plan was ambitious, but which describes only the first phase of the project".

What's a good alternative to "but which describes"?

Alternatives include "however that describes", "yet that portrays", or "although it depicts", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but which"?

While grammatically permissible in certain contexts, starting a sentence with "but which" can sometimes sound awkward. It's usually better to integrate it within a clause following an initial statement.

What is the difference between "but which describes" and "and which describes"?

"But which describes" implies a contrast or exception to what was previously stated, whereas "and which describes" simply adds more descriptive information without any contrast.